Imperial Treasury

The Treasury

The palace originally contained several treasury areas. For example, in one room was
kept the so-called Ambassadors Treasure consisting of the rich objects which
were used by Ottoman representatives abroad, and kept here when not in use. In addition,
the relics of the Prophet Mohammed, the Inner Treasury, and the Equestrian Treasury were
each separately housed. It is believed that the original treasures of the Sultans were
kept in the Seven Towers Gate section of the City Walls. The collection we see now consist
of gifts of ambassadors, enthronement gifts, and purchases of the Sultans themselves. The
largest treasure from the spoils of war was added by Sultan Yavuz Selim, whose seal closed
the treasury doors until recent times in recognition of his accomplishment.

The artifacts of the treasure were deposited in closets and chests until the time of
Abdulmecit. According to Palace laws, each Sultan was to visit the Treasury after his
enthronement. When Abdulmecit made the customary visit the ordered that some of the items
be placed on exhibit during the Crimean War. Following in his steps, Abdulaziz and
Abdulhamit II. also exhibited some items. From time to time foreign ambassadors were also
shown the collection which we now see. The sultan himself was alone allowed to enter the
treasury, or in his absence, a group of forty men together. The collection was filled and
emptied many times over because of the constant flow in and out of gifts to and from the
courts of the world. Each year a gift was sent to the grave of the prophet Mohammed, some
of which are now returned and seen today.

Treasury Salon I

Entering on the right we see a case containing the amour or Sultan Mustafa III. The
suit is of iron mail, encrusted in gold an precious stones. It offered full protection
from head to toe, and included sword and shield and foot gear for his mount. In the second
case are shown Koran covers decorated with pearls, for the personal use of the Sultans. Of
particular interest is the cover in black velvet, decorated in pearls and carrying in the
center a diamond God Bless and finished with three pearl tassels.

In the third case is the ebony throne of sultan Murad the IV., inlaid with ivory and
mother - of - pearl, and covered in a fabric throw typical of 17th century Turkish
handwork.

At the side, in the fourth case are shown 16th and 17th century Turkish and Iranian
pots, vases, and water jugs. Opposite, in the fifth case, and belonging to the Egyptian
Governor Mehmet Ali Pasha, are gold candelabras, and an 18th century gold water pipe
belonging to the Governor of Van, Mustafa Pasha and several candle
snips. In the sixth case, solid jade vases and ports, form a background for the diamond
studded walking stick of Abdulhamit II., a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm. In the seventh case,
belonging to the mother of Sultan Mahmut II. is a golden candelabra. A washing set and
sherbet set, also in gold, belonging to Abdulhamit II. are representative of a high
quality of gold work. Next to the door, in the eighth case is an ornate Indian music box.
From here we turn to the central cases in the room, where are exhibited a large number of
heavily decorated military items, in addition to many personal items belonging to members
of the Sultans household.

Treasury Salon II

As we enter the room, on the right, in the first case are emerald praying beads, and
arrow quivers of 16th century manufacture by Turkish artisans, covered in gold, measuring
35 by 67 centimeters. The quiver immediately in front of us is decorated in flower motifs
done in diamonds and emeralds. In the second case at its top is a hanging pendant
belonging to Sultan Abdulhamid I. of emerald, framed in gold. It is undoubtedly one of
the most striking pieces in the room, containing three large emeralds shaped in a
triangle, leaf patterns surround framed in gold, and 48 strings of pearls forming the
tassel. Along with 97 other treasures, this tassel was originally a gift of the sultan to
the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed in Mecca, and was returned to Istanbul
when Mecca no longer lay within the borders of the Empire, through the efforts of
Fahrettin Pasha, guardian of the treasury.

In the same case is a six-sided pendant of emerald belonging to Sultan Ahmet I. The
body sits on a six pearl foot, with each of its six sides framed in gold. The cover is
domed in a gold lattice, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires. The old plaque at the base
indicates that it was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I. in the year 1617 at a price of 6000
gold pieces. In the lower corner of this case, on a turban, is a 17th century
plume-decorated with two five centimeter emeralds in length, formed on a heavy gold pin.
Its top is decorated with two five centimeter emeralds and a garnet stone, framed by
diamond-encrusted gold leaves, and loops of pearl chains. An additional pendant in this
same case was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I.

In the third case, at the top, is an emerald pendant belonging to Sultan Mustafa, and
an emerald dagger belonging to Mehmet IV. This dagger is a fine example of 17th century
craftsmanship, being 31 centimeters in length, its handle of solid emerald, worked in gold
an other precious gems. It was a present to the Sultan Mehmet IV. at the dedication of the
Yeni Mosque.

In the fourth case of this room is a very eye - catching emerald pendant, 55
centimeters in length, with a four centimeter long emerald at its top. Beneath this a gold
plaque decorated in diamonds, on either side of which are inscriptions to Sultan
Abdulmecid I. At its base are round and hexagonal emeralds surrounded with pearls. The
tassel at the base is of seventeen strings of pearls. In the same case are found bases for
Turkish coffee cups and turban tassels and plumes. In the fifth case are feather - like
plumes and quivers, the emerald quiver at the bottom being particularly lovely.

Treasury Salon III

In this salon are more diamond and gold works. In the case on the right of the entrance
are Koran covers decorated in precious stones. in the second case is a dessert set
belonging to the Sultan Abdulhamit, as well as a gold incense burner, and an enameled
sherbet set.

At the top of the third case is a pendant carrying the seal of the sultan Mahmut II.,
itself of diamonds, on a blue and pink enamel background. The chain is of gold, and the
tassel 45 strings of 38 centimeters of pearls. In the same case is a grouping of several
very large, very famous cut diamonds. The broaches, rings ad other jewelry items here are
equally lovely. In the fourth case, of particular note are the gold tray and gold incense
burner.

In the fifth case, perhaps this room's most beautiful object, the spoonmakers diamond, is located.

Treasury Salon IV

The central object of this room is the Turkish and Indian masterpiece in its center,
the throne of Mahmut I. A gift of the Persian King Nadir Shah, on a green and red
background, its designs are of emeralds and pearls. Previously thought to be the throne of
Shah Ismail, research has shown it to have been in fact a gift of the Persian king to the
Ottomans. On the right in a case, are pots and ivory mirrors. Across, in a large number of
cases, are swords, rifles, prayer beads, spoons, all extravagantly decorated. Of
particular note is the box in which the mantle of the Prophet Mohammed was once kept.

As we leave this magnificent treasury, we pass along the from of the museums
administrative offices to the Portrait and Miniature Exhibit Hal. The ground floor of this
hall contains examples or art works from the Islamic world from the 13th to the 19th to
the 20th century.

Gold matara - flask
This flask has a distended, flattened, pouchlike body, and a short neck, and is set on a low, circular foot. Solid golden body decorated with pearls, repousse palmettes, emeralds and rubies.

Monogrammed (tughra) pendant
Height = 20cms. In the form of an ostrich egg, enamelled in blue and pink, this
pendant bears the tughra of Mahmut II (1808-1839) inscribed in diamonds,
and foliate and floral motifs also studded in diamonds. A small diamond-encrusted seperate lobe hangs above the pendant and a cascade of pearls below.

The map of Piri Reis
The map, which is drawn on parchment in colour, was executed by the Turkish geographer Piri Reis, a renowned cartographer of the 16th century. The map shows part of Europe and west coast of Africa, and eastern, central and south America, the Atlantic islands, and the ocean. A great deal of detail is given in South America. This map is in fact only the western section of the world drawn by Piri Reis and presented to Selim I in Cairo in 1517. It was prepared in Gelibolu.
Piri Reis' map is the oldest known map which includes the
continent of America.

The throne of Nadir Shah, 18th century.
Irano - Indian. This throne was presented by the Shah of Iran to Mahmud I
(1730-1754). Gold, precious stones and enamel embellish the throne.

Hanging wall clock, 18th century.

Helmet, 16th century.

Sultan's crest. 18th century.
28cms in height. Bears an emerald (4x5 cms), a ruby (3 cms), and framed
by a row of diamonds and pearls.

Sweetmeat set
Abdulhamid II period (1876-1909)

Ice cream service, gold, cast and filigree.

Gold ceremonial throne
MAde in 1585 by order of the vizier Ibrahim Pasha and presented to Murad III.

The throne of Ahmed I
The throne was the work of the architect of Sultanahmed mosque, Mehmet Aga.

Rock - crystal flask.
This flask, or matara, was one of the ceremonial vessels used to carry
water for the use of the Sultan. Last quarter of the 16th century,
H. 32.2 cm, D. 15.5 cm.

Rock - crystal flask
16th century, H. 21 cm.

Rock - crystal jug.
The body and handle of the jug are carved from a single piece of
rock - crystal. The remainder is also decorated with gold and jewels.
2nd half of 16th century, H. 20 cm.

Swords
Ornamanted with gold.

Ewer
Made of silver, enamel plated. 19th century.

Inclaided flintlock guns
18th century.

Zinc jug with lid
16th century.

Rose - water flask
Made of gold, enamelled with flower decorations.

Coffee - ewer
Made of silver, gold plated. 19th century.

Rock - crystal and gold jug with lid
16th century.

Jade tankard with lid
16th century.

Emerald and diamond broach

Gold sherbet set
Four tugra monograms of Abdulaziz are set around the rim.

Compote service in enamel

Rose - water flasks
Made of gold, enemelled and ornamanted with diamonds.